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Key West, FL

by Lacy Morris ~ photographs by robbie caponetto

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rain, February is the perfect time to visit. We traveled the 5.6 square

miles of this perennial vacation destination to bring you tips on how

to best experience Key West regardless of your budget. There’s only

one road in, and once you get there, you won’t want to leave. Skip

the T-shirt shops, and get to know the real Key West.

T h e S o u T h e r n m o S T C i T y in the continental United States

wears its quirk with pride. Where else do beach cruisers and chickens

fight for the right-of-way? But this tiny town at the tip of the South

is much more than spring breakers, six-toed cats, and tourists on

“island time.” With temperatures in the mid-70s and little chance of

From fresh seafood tacos to luxe spa treatments, here’s our guide for diving into

the best deals and extravagances in the Conch Republic

D.J.’s Clam ShackGarbo’s Grill

Point5 Lounge

The Key West Butterfly &

Nature Conservatory

t r a v e L + c u L t u r e s o u t h e a s t i n s i d e r

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Island City House Hotel

Book a stay in the main building where “island

Victorian” decor includes crisp white linens, lots

of lace, and four-poster beds. each room on the

property comes with a fully stocked kitchenette.

rooms from $150; islandcityhouse.com

La Mer Hotel & Dewey House

Book the Luxury Garden View Guest room

(starting at $319) where fresh-cut orchids come

with your homemade breakfast quiche. With

three pools and two beaches, you won’t want

to leave the property. southernmostresorts.com

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$4.75ice cream and gelato in

rum raisin and Key Lime at Flamingo Crossing Ice Cream. 1105 Duval Street;

305/296-6124

$13admission to a

30-minute guided tour of The Ernest Hemingway

Home & Museum. hemingwayhome.com

$65.50Luxurious Fouta towels

from Florida-based Scents & Feel are ready for a day at the beach.

besamemucho.net

$139a full day of watersports

such as snorkeling, parasailing, and kayaking

with Fury Water Adventures. furycat.com

good deaL

good grieF!

STeAl Splurge

Garbo’s Grill

Don’t let the line in front of this beloved food truck

scare you away; it’s worth the wait. Try the Cayo

Fish Tacos ($7.75/two), with mahi-mahi, mango,

red cabbage, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers, or

get the yum yum Shrimp Tacos ($8.75/two), with

local Key West shrimp. open for lunch and dinner

monday through Saturday. garbosgrillkw.com

D.J.’s Clam Shack

Sure, a $25 sandwich might seem a bit pricey

when you calculate the cost per bite, but

the overstuffed maine Lobster roll has half

a pound of tender meat—worth every cent.

The only other ingredients are a little celery

and light tarragon mayonnaise, making for a

simple and delicious meal. djsclamshack.com

The Green Parrot Bar

The Green Parrot Bar has drawn locals since 1890

with its live music, late-night hours (open every

day until 4 a.m.), and happy hour specials. if you’re

there on a Wednesday, you’ll be serenaded

during Ukulele Night. greenparrot.com

Point5 Lounge

Grab a moscow mule ($8) with homemade

ginger beer and a seat on the porch. an extension

of Nine one Five, the James Beard Foundation

award-winning restaurant, Point5 offers prime

people-watching on Duval Street. 915duval.com

Key West Aloe

We know you’re applying your SPF. Nurture

your skin with mango

Sunmax Lip Balm ($5), Save

a Tan aloe vera lotion ($12.50),

and aloethera oatmeal Body

Bar ($6). keywestaloe.com

Blue Boutique

island getaways don’t have to be all about

Bermuda shorts and flip-flops. Treat yourself

to an indulgence at old Town’s Blue Boutique,

which features jewelry and designer clothing

from Nicole miller, rebecca Taylor, and Diane

von Furstenberg. blueislandstore.com

The Key West Butterfly &

Nature Conservatory

Get up close to hundreds of butterflies as

you walk winding paths landscaped with

tropical plants. $12; keywestbutterfly.com

t r a v e L + c u L t u r e s o u t h e a s t i n s i d e r

$240a stack of Southern-made bracelets by Bourbon and

Boweties at DeJaVu; six will set you back $240.

shopdejavu.comPrana Spa

The 60-minute Sumatran Coconut Sandalwood

Body Polish draws on real coconut to exfoliate,

plus it includes a full-body massage ($115).

pranaspakeywest.com

La mer hotel & Dewey houseKey West aloe